Greece says it won't take the UK to international court over the Elgin Marbles

Part of the Elgin Marbles.
(Image credit: Graham Barclay/Getty Images)

Instead of taking the United Kingdom to the International Court of Justice for the return of the Elgin Marbles, Greece's Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis said his country will go through "diplomatic and political" channels to get the ancient sculptures back.

"One cannot go to court over whatever issue," he told Greece's Mega TV. "Besides, in international courts the outcome is uncertain." The Elgin Marbles date back to 400 BC, and have been in the British Museum since they were removed from the Parthenon 200 years ago. Last year, one of the sculptures was loaned to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. It was the first time one of the Elgin Marbles left the British Museum, NPR reports, and the move angered Greece.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.